Periodization

Under Periodization refers to the division of history into ages ( " epochs " ) or time segments with common characteristics.

Here, the term " periodization " considered by some authors as problematic since it etymologically (Greek: periodos - " cycle" ) suggests a cyclical view of history. As a substitute the more neutral term was proposed "Historical Outline ". This has but (still) not generally enforced.

Features, functions and conditions

The subdivisions into eras - as well as the spatial divisions - quite flexible, that is, the boundaries between them are fluid. Furthermore, they are often recognized regionally different, since certain features in some regions of the world or not at all different times up.

An outline of the story is essential for their meaningful development. It may help to gain historical overview and assists the classification of historical processes and structures. Through systematic bundling of complex past a periodization is also able to arrange this matter learning processes and to support them, by serving as an indicative " hint ".

An outline always follows certain categories, that is, it puts forward a decision about which features as the decisive be considered for defining an era. For this decision, take some (especially earlier ) authors 'objectivity' to complete, others ( more today ) to emphasize that in this decision received always subjective and changeable social values ​​and points of view, and that periodization as all the results of science only approximations to a can be objective picture of reality that need to be revised with advancing knowledge. So be aimed is an impartial view of history.

One of the conditions of periodization is not only the socially influenced evaluation of prominent features of the course of history, but these include the respectively available technical means of historical research. The more finds out the research, the more characteristics of the historical process must be " sorted " into epochs. This can make new periodization necessary.

Examples

Christoph Cellarius has established itself at the beginning of the 18th century in European historiography, the division into three great epochs permanently. Between the ages of antiquity and modern times came in the Middle Ages called period which has been dated from about 500 AD to about 1500 AD.

Based on this large tripartite division of history further subdivisions are made, such as: Ancient Near East; Greco-Roman antiquity ( with further subdivisions in: Archaic and Classical Greece, Hellenistic, Roman Empire ), Late Antiquity; then the early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages and Late Middle Ages; Finally, Early Modern and Modern (or: Latest time). Also for the time history exist such structure approaches.

Some divisions also include the border areas of the great epochs; For example, the Renaissance began in the Middle Ages and sat down in modern times called era continued. Therefore, the Renaissance is not wrongly called the epoch-making time.

In the globalizing experience modern world history, these traditional periodization be criticized as Euro -centric. Various proposals are made that at least accept the interrelationships in the Eurasian space better in the view. Occasionally, the " meaningless " epochs names of classical periodization are criticized because they testified little about the specifics of each epoch.